Chapter 3

Only then did I remember that the bonuses from projects I had led before still hadn't been paid out, each project worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Previously, Vanessa kept claiming the company was short on funds and that she would pay me my bonuses later. At the time, I figured that we would eventually become a family anyway, so I said there was no rush.

Who would've thought those bonuses would now become her leverage against me?

Snorting, I shot back at her, "I don't want the bonuses. Process my resignation now."

Vanessa flew off the handle. "Fine! Have it your way! Don't even think about ever coming back to the company!"

Did she seriously think her company was some kind of heaven that everyone was trying to get into?

I wanted to laugh, but I didn't make a sound. Once she approved my resignation, I turned around and walked off without pause.

When I got back to the house, I immediately reported Vanessa to the SEC, the Securities and Exchange Commission, for violating legal protocols during the bidding process.

The next day, the moment I opened my eyes, Julia called me. "How did things between you and Vanessa blow up like this?"

I was completely confused. Once Julia realized that, she sent me a screenshot of Vanessa's Instagram story.

I also saw the litany of messages I'd received.

Vanessa had blocked me and was spreading rumors on her Instagram, accusing me of using my position to embezzle money, siphoning off over 100 million dollars from the company.

She even claimed I was a problematic employee and said the entire industry should blacklist me.

I was outraged. She'd already stolen so much from me, and she wanted to continue kicking me while I was down? She was biting the hand that fed her!

I asked Julia to help me take screenshots of everything Vanessa posted as evidence and immediately contacted a lawyer to file a lawsuit.

Once that was done, I responded by posting the legal notice from my lawyer on my social media. "Nothing but fabricated lies. I will pursue this to the end."

I went to the company to collect my things and complete the final paperwork for my resignation. Since I had no projects left to hand over, the process went smoothly.

Just as I was leaving the company, Cameron showed up and stood in my way, looking completely indignant.

"Nessie cried all night because of you, and she cried even more after seeing that you're suing her. Her eyes are all swollen!

"I know everything is my fault. If you're angry, take it out on me. Don't hurt Nessie. You two have been together for so many years now!"

He'd already benefited from the situation, yet he was still trying to act all innocent and generous. Well, sadly for him, I wasn't as easily fooled as Vanessa.

Scoffing, I shot back, "Since you know you're the one at fault, go apologize to her. Why the hell are you coming to me?"

I turned to leave, but Cameron suddenly grabbed me, his voice choked as he cried out, "I'll get on my knees and beg, okay? Is that enough for you? Please don't do this to Nessie!"

Annoyed, I shook off his hand. I was about to retort when I saw his body tilt backward and roll down the steps.

Right on cue, Vanessa appeared. Once she saw Cameron tumbling down two steps, her eyes instantly turned red with anger.

"Shane! I've known you for ten years, but I guess I was wrong about you the whole time! Cam is already willing to humiliate himself by kneeling in apology to you, yet you still kicked him down the steps!

"Do you know how hard he's been working to handle the mess you left behind? He hasn't slept all night! Look at his dark circles. He's completely worn out!"

She made it sound like I'd committed some egregious crime—like I'd forced Cameron to become a murderer or something.

I simply eyed her calmly and reminded her, "According to you, losing one night's sleep is enough to be considered working hard and being completely worn out, huh?

"What about when I used to pull multiple all-nighters to create our project budgets and bidding proposals? What about when I had to stay up all night to take care of our critically ill investor? Why didn't you mention how worn out I was from working so hard?

"If he's incompetent, just admit it. Don't use anyone else as an excuse."

I'd rendered Vanessa speechless. All she could do was turn purple from rage. "You've gone too far!"

After throwing those words at me, she left with Cameron.

I couldn't be bothered to pay any further attention to them. Instead, I headed back to the house to pack my belongings.

Vanessa and I had paid the down payment on the house with the first profits we earned, and the property was solely under her name. Although it was fairly small, it contained all of the loving memories we'd shared over the past six years.